Series Of Worcester Bank Robberies Ends With Lowell Man's Guilty Plea

WORCESTER, MA — A Lowell man is facing up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty this week to robbery charges following stickups at three Worcester banks in April 2023.

Joselito Santiago-Matias, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery and two counts of armed bank robbery on Wednesday. Federal prosecutors said he robbed a Santander Bank on April 3, 2023, a Berkshire Bank in Worcester on April 12, 2023, and a Santander Bank on April 19, 2023. The latter two robbers were done with a gun.

"The charge of bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of armed bank robbery provides for a sentence of up to up to 25 years, five years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000," prosecutors said in a news release Thursday.

Santiago-Matias will be formally sentenced on July 24.